The secret's out: The future of fashion accessories is 3D printing. On Wednesday, Adidas unveiled its Futurecraft 3D performance footwear in Portland, Ore. The 3D-printed running shoe midsole is completely customized for each unique, individual consumer and athlete.
"Futurecraft 3D is a prototype and a statement of intent. We have used a one-of-its-kind combination of process and material in an entirely new way. Our 3D-printed midsole not only allows us to make a great running shoe, but also to use performance data to drive truly bespoke experiences, meeting the needs of any athlete," Eric Liedtke, Executive Board Member of Adidas AG, said, according to Adidas News Stream.
Adidas' 3D printed midsole is a flexible, fully breathable carbon copy of the athlete's unique footprint. The shoes are generally made using "a unique combination of materials and process," according to Tech Radar.
The newly-unveiled Futurecraft 3D footwear is part of Adidas' "Futurecraft series" initiative. According to the brand, it overall "places open source collaboration and craftsmanship at the heart of design to drive innovation across all elements of production."
"Futurecraft is our sandbox. It is how we challenge ourselves every day to explore the boundaries of our craft. Driving material and process innovation, bringing the familiar into the future. Marrying the qualities of hand crafting and prototyping with the limitless potential of new manufacturing technologies. Futurecraft is stripped back — fast, raw and real — it is our approach to design," Paul Gaudio, Adidas' creative director, said.
You can watch the complex, futuristic process of creating Adidas' Futurecraft 3D insoles in the cool, visually appealing video below.http://www.fashiontimes.com/articles/23610/20151008/adidas-launches-3d-printed-customizable-performance-insoles-footwear-called-futurecraft.htm#